Food

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter V

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Virginia Smoked Ham Sandwich!  The wonderful thing about baking a Virginia smoked ham is the assortment of menu options you glean from a three-pound ham purchase. And with picnic season upon us, this is a quick and easy meal to enjoy at the park. 

VIRGINIA SMOKED HAM SANDWICH 
Ingredients:
1/2 pound shaved precooked smoked Virginia ham pieces
4 slices sesame seed artisan bakery-fresh bread
2 tablespoons butter
2 slices Baby Swiss cheese
Mayonnaise or Mustard, optional to taste
Dill Pickle wedge for garnish
Instructions:
Butter top sides of bread all the way to the edge. Put two slices into a heated skillet over medium-low heat. Assemble ham and Swiss cheese; top with remaining bread slices. Cook until golden brown on each side, turning once. Serve with the slightly tart taste of a dill pickle.  Add a tossed salad and sea salt Kettle chips for the perfect meal!

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter U

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Upside-Down Pineapple Bundt Cake!  This light and easy alternative for dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the pounds. The secret is the tropical taste of pineapple. 

UPSIDE-DOWN PINEAPPLE BUNDT CAKE
Ingredients:
1 box Angel Food Cake Mix
1 20-ounce can of Crushed Pineapple with Juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Set oven rack to lowest setting. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray Bundt pan with non-stick cooking oil. Sprinkle brown sugar on the bottom of the pan.  Mix the Angel Food Cake Mix with the Crushed Pineapple, including juice, by hand for one minute or until well blended.  Pour into Bundt pan and place in oven on a foil-lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 35-45 minutes until  toothpick comes out clean and the cake is set. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Option:  Garnish with a sprig of tarragon and top with maraschino cherries, stems removed. 
Serving Suggestion
Mixed Berry Sauce:
1 pound of fresh blueberries 
1 pound of fresh mulberries 
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
In a medium sauce pan add berries, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Cook on medium heat, while stirring until the berries reduce down. Change the heat to low setting and press the berries against the side of the pan to make them burst. Continue cooking for 30 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add 2 drops of lemon extract while stirring with a spoon. Pour into jar and store in refrigerator. 
Hint:  This is delicious on toast or pancakes or ice cream. 

The Mint Julep 

THE MINT JULEP

“Then comes the zenith of man’s pleasure.

Then comes the julep ­­– the mint julep.
Who has not tasted one has lived in vain.

…Then when it is made, sip it slowly.
August suns are shining,
the breath of the south wind is upon you.
It is fragrant, cold and sweet – it is seductive.
No maiden’s kiss is tenderer or more refreshing,
no maiden’s touch could be more passionate.
Sip it and dream – you cannot dream amiss.
Sip it and dream – it is a dream itself.”

~ 19th Century American Journalist

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter T

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Turnips and Roasted Sweet Potatoes! Here’s a little twist on adding turnips to your menu. When seasoned and mixed with other root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, the somewhat bland flavor of the turnip becomes robust and savory. You’ll find yourself serving them more often. 

TURNIPS & ROASTED SWEET POTATOES 
Ingredients:
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges 
4 medium turnips, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well until vegetables are evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for one hour. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Spread vegetables into single layer. Avoid contact. Bake about 40 minutes or until tender and slightly browned. 
Serving suggestion:  For a creamy dip, mix Greek yogurt with fresh onion chives.  It will seem like a mild onion dip, but with a much lighter flavor. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter S

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Smoked Salmon Dill Spread with Crudités!  For those who appreciate a healthy choice while socializing, this one is for the books!  Add an assortment of baked bagel chips for a salty crunch finish. 

SMOKED SALMON DILL SPREAD
Ingredients:
8 ounces of Neufchâtel cheese 
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish 
2 tablespoons fresh Dill, chopped 
Dash of White Pepper 
1/4 pound Smoked Salmon, chopped
Mix all ingredients together, form into a log, and refrigerate at least one hour. Serve with your favorite raw vegetables cut into bite-size pieces to create a crudité platter. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter R

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Ranch Pretzel Twists! You’re thinking snack-city. I know, right? Except this version of baked pretzels is made with one of the healthiest foods around: Chia Seeds! They’re a good source of vitamins and minerals in a balanced diet. With every bite you’ll practically be doing the “Happy Dance”.

RANCH PRETZEL TWISTS
Ingredients:
15-ounce bag of pretzel twists 
1 cup pure vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 275°. Empty pretzel twists into a gallon storage zipper bag. Mix thoroughly all the remaining ingredients except chia seeds. Pour over pretzels and close the bag. Toss the bag to evenly coat all pieces until the oil is absorbed. Empty contents onto a baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Try to form a single layer. Lastly, sprinkle the chia seeds over the pretzels. Bake 10 minutes. Then turn pretzels over and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before storing in sealed container. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter Q

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Quiche Lorraine!  Pie for Breakfast? Or Brunch or a light Dinner?  Without a doubt!  This flaky pastry tart filled with a rich, creamy filling is a classic French staple that boasts tradition in every bite. 

QUICHE LORRAINE
Pastry:
1 1/3 cup flour
Pinch of salt
3 ounces Neufchâtel cheese
1/2 cup butter
Sift together flour and salt. Add softened butter and Neufchâtel cheese. Mixture becomes crumbly but eventually forms a single large ball. Set aside for 30 minutes to an hour. Roll out and line a deep 9-10″ pie dish. 
Filling:
8 thin slices cooked ham or crisp smoked bacon
8 ounces Gruyère cheese*
2 cups sour cream
3 eggs and 1 yolk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted butter
Cover pastry alternating ham and cheese. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over ham and cheese. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 375° 50-60 minutes until set. 
*May substitute Gruyère cheese for thinly sliced Swiss cheese. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter P

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen?  Panchovillas!  Olé!  Who Doesn’t Love Mexican Food?  I’ve collected the best recipes from my friends’ kitchens where family secrets are passed down from generation to generation; where added spices become second nature.  And measurements are made by instinct and taste preference.  Proving that point, here’s a tasty meal thrown together from leftover pork roast.
PANCHOVILLAS
Ingredients:
1 pound pork roast, shredded
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder 
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup chopped jalapeños 
1/4 cup diced tomatoes 
2 cups tomato sauce 
2 cups refried beans
2 tablespoons butter, melted 
6-8 flour tortillas 
2 cups cheddar cheese 
Directions:
Simmer first ten ingredients, smashing a portion of the beans to keep the consistency thick.  Add more tomato sauce if necessary.  Brush the tortillas lightly with melted butter. Fill with pork and bean mixture. At this point I fold them into a burrito-style portion, seam side down.   Place in a 9×13 casserole dish. Cover tortillas with extra topping and cheddar cheese. Bake at 350° until the cheese is melted, usually about 30 minutes.  Top with sour cream and black olives to garnish.  Serve with mixed greens salad, guacamole, and crispy chips.  Add salsa for more spice.  And don’t forget the Classic Margarita!

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter O

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Orange, Pineapple, Banana Ice Cream!  And, before you ask…..No, you do not need an ice cream maker. What I love the most about this refreshing recipe is that any fresh fruit can be used for a mélange of flavor choices, depending on the season.

ORANGE-PINEAPPLE-BANANA ICE CREAM

Ingredients:
1/3 cup mandarin oranges, frozen
1/3 cup pineapple chunks, frozen
1 banana, frozen
1/4 cup powdered sugar 
1/2 cup heavy cream, very icy cold
Directions:
Combine the frozen fruit and sugar in a food processor or blender. Process on “Pulse” until the fruit is roughly chopped. With the processor running, slowly add the heavy cream until fully mixed. Transfer fruit ice cream to a plastic storage container with lid. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours or until firm. To serve, use a melon ball scoop to form bite-size portions. Garnish with dried fruit and shredded coconut.